CYT North Idaho production opens tonight

A spunky little redheaded orphan has been winning hearts for more than 100 years.

Cartoonist Harold Gray's "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip made its debut Aug. 5, 1924, in the New York Daily Times. In celebration of this beloved character coming to life in the funny pages, Christian Youth Theater North Idaho's Christian Community Theater is bringing "Annie" to the Midge and Pepper Smock Family Theatre at the Kroc, opening at 7 tonight.

Stormy Christopherson, 11, of Hayden, will perform in her debut lead role as the eponymous Annie.

“It’s really exciting for me because I've never ever gotten a chance to be in the spotlight,” Stormy said Wednesday.

This is the fourth play for the young actress, whose first role was a ragged pickpocket in the 2024 Lake City Playhouse production of "Oliver." She said she finds similarities between that character and Annie.

"I have this mixed attitude between joyful and mischievous and daring and polite," Stormy said. "It's a really fun role to play. I have many costumes; they’re all amazing, I love them all."

The incoming Hayden Canyon Charter fifth grader dyed her hair red for the role. She took vocal lessons to prepare for the many iconic songs she'll be singing, such as "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard Knock Life" and "I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here."

"I love singing," Stormy said. "I've been singing all of my life, but I’ve never really known how to sing it right until I took voice lessons. Over a little time, I got better and better and now I’m Annie!"

"Annie" takes audiences on a journey from a Dickensian orphanage to the mansion of billionaire Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, played by Jorge Vara. Set in Great Depression-era 1930s New York City, Annie outwits the terrible Miss Hannigan (Bridgette DuPuis) and eventually finds a dream-come-true home for herself and her loyal dog, Sandy.

DuPuis, who played Annie in a 2011 production, said she doesn't know any young girl who has seen the 1982 film — starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett — and didn't immediately fall in love with it.

"It's a very special show," she said. "It's hard not to have that connection."

She said "Annie" has a "Home Alone" aspect; when Annie arrives at the Warbucks estate, it's like watching Macaulay Culkin's Kevin McCallister exploring a whole new world.

"She's an orphan, and then she gets to be in this fancy place and you get to see her get her reward for dealing with a terrible, kooky villain," DuPuis said. "I think a lot of young girls can put themselves in that position, and it's fun to imagine. It’s fun to see a spunky girl aspire to be tough and sweet just like Annie. I think a lot of girls are drawn to her."

While "Annie" explores the longing to belong and find a loving family, the CYT production features several families in the cast and crew. Bridgette's husband, Presley DuPuis, plays her scheming brother Rooster. Stormy's mom, Emily Christopherson, has small roles as a maid, a Hoovervillian and a New York City shopper. Vara will act alongside two of his children and Director Trigger Weddle will work alongside her daughter, New York-based choreographer Reese Weddle, and her son, stage manager Seth Weddle. Several siblings are in the cast, as well.

"It’s lovely doing a show with my wife," Presley said. "I think it’s super awesome seeing the parents and the kids working on the same show, and you're all working on something bigger."

"Annie" runs through Aug. 24. Musical direction by Jessica Peterson.

Tickets are $16-$22 and are available at cytnorthidaho.org/shows or at the door.

The Kroc Center is at 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d'Alene.

    From left, Evangeline Earley, Navy Lauri, Blakelee Griffitts and Lilly Chase perform during a rehearsal for the CYT North Idaho production of "Annie."
  

    Kylie Anderson hoists a mop above her head alongside castmates Olivia Sherry and Scarlett Sherry during an "Annie" rehearsal.